Perhaps my favorite slogan is be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Cat (my wife, Catherine) would certainly say it's one of the MANY that I abuse on a regular basis. It just seems so broad reaching in it's concept because it involves both imagination and the reality of its consequences. That's very appealing to me.
Well, folks, at least to those who voted in the many ultra-conservative, very Republican, Tea Party supported political leadership, I rest my case. I said to be careful. And now we've all got it. You wanted mean-spirited, fiscally "responsible", very white, very christian, narrow minded people to lead the country and, indeed we have them - at least in too many places.
From the return of religious symbols in public schools in Virginia to the union busting tactics lead by Wisconsin's Republican Governor, our civil liberties have come under increasingly alarming attack. It's a very assault on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Some have called the measures taken by conservative dominated legislatures as draconian.
Most reasonable people acknowledge that change is not only inevitable, it is essential. We needed change in many ways. Budge deficits, for MANY, COMPLEX reasons have been so blown apart that they have become virtually unmanageable. Things NEEDED to change. However, how we change and what we change makes all the difference.
Gail Collins' editorial in today's NY Times (2/19/11) crystallized this for me in my WTF?! moment. Her article pointed out that while the Republican controlled house is actively seeking to cut funding for Public Broadcasting and Planned Parenthood, so far, the Defense Department's budget to sponsor Nascar racers has been untouchable. In her article, Collins went on to give the example of a Representative from Minnesota who sponsored a bill eliminating said funding. After the death threats she received, the amendment was soundly defeated 281 to 148.
OK. Let me get this straight: we want to cut the virtual pennies needed to provide educational programming from Frontline to Sesame Street and pregnancy counseling to young women, while continuing to fund guys driving around in circles? May I repeat; WTF?!
There are indeed hard choices to be made at this time in our country. But every generation has its share of difficult decisions. And, to move forward, sacrifices will have to be made. What those decisions will be, and the sacrifices we choose to make, will define this generation's legacy. How will we choose to be remembered? Will we be known as a wise, compassionate generation? Or will be one known for it's ability to drive around in circles?
photo: F LoBuono
Remember, if it's not already too late, be careful what you wish for . . .
Priorities are priorities, Frank. I love your line 'how we change and what we change makes all the difference.' While I am shocked and awed at what is going on in Wisconsin, some things need to change. The entitlement system needs to go through a squeaky clean audit. Seems there is much abuse of the system and due to its sheer size, ripe for taking advantage of. A number of news orgs have cited the abuse of pensions across the board. I, for one, recognize that those 'double dipping' are taking advantage of a very legal system. But, it is a true, WTF moment. States are going to bankrupt under the weight of these very legal and allowable costs. We have been feeding at the trough for a long time now, but, as you note, times have changed. The difference between the Depression and now is that we continue to have an air of entitlement. We expect things to be given and done for us. Do we, the peace and love generation, know how to be a wise, compassionate generation? I'm not so sure...
ReplyDeleteIt's ALL a matter of perspective. Even the debate over the Wisconsin Public Worker Unions is a matter of perspective. The government would lead you to believe that the state workers' compensation package is well above those of private workers. But, on balance, that's not really the case. In some areas it's better. In other areas, it's not. Again, your perspective AND perception can alter your POV.
ReplyDeleteBut it's also becomes a referendum on what we VALUE and what we are willing to pay for to get our dollars worth. I believe that ALL reasonable people believe that fiscal balance MUST be established. HOW we achieve that balance will, eventually, define us as a generation. The choice is ours. Let's make it with wisdom and compassion.
As supplemental reading for our discussion here, I highly recommend reading Peter Hart's excellent article on funding PBS at the Huffington Post.
ReplyDeletewww.huffingtonpost.com/peter-hart